In preparation for Wolf's arrival, we moved Tigerlily into the room which was previously our study. This meant that we had to move no less than eight book cases into our main living area, along with two computers and all their attendant paraphenalia. This year, because our house is even smaller than it used to be as a result of all that redecorating (which is an extremely generous word for any activity in our house), we had a bit of difficulty working out where we could put the tree, especially as Wolfgang was likely to try to de-ornament our creation when it was finished - thus placing him at serious risk of arborial squashing.
Last year, we bought our tree from the Veggie Patch in Blackheath for the bargain price of $20 (Sydney trees are usually at least $50) while we were shifting things from our house in Bell. I had thought that we might invent a new Christmas tradition that would include a drive to Blackheath for lunch, at which time we would pick up a tree. By a happy coincidence it just so happens that I have friends who live in Blackheath and I asked them to investigate this year's crop so that we did not waste the trip. Jade and Paul sent me pictures of their reconnaissance mission:
Only 4% of people can spot the child in
the display of bananas.
The price hike meant that it probably would not be worth the trip once petrol and time were factored in but, incredibly, in the face of my decision not to make the effort, Paul offered to deliver a tree to us. So, not only did we get a bargain tree, we got a bargain tree home delivered. We have such good friends.
I should mention that last year our tree was probably about 6 foot tall. The tree which Paul left in our back yard stands tall enough to touch the ceilings in our house - in other words, it's about 12 foot tall. My brother, a life-long fan of towering Christmas trees, would be proud of this monster. It did, however, mean that we had an even bigger challenge to find a spot for it in our over-crowded abode. In the end, Tigerlily had the inspired idea that it could be safely placed in the corner of her bedroom where the 'space chair' usually hangs.
It's hard to describe my pleasure at finding
Tiger ensconced in a book while waiting for
us to start decorating tree.
Tiger was so excited to be finally dressing
the tree - the poor thing had to wait five
full days before trotting out the tinsel.
Each year we buy her an ornament of her
choice for the tree. This year Tigerlily chose
a hideous plastic Santa Clause sitting astride
a glitter filled 'snow globe' which is internally
lit and which changes colour every 3 seconds.
She loves it.
This was the first ornament that Tiger ever chose
for herself, it was, rather unusually for our household,
a nativity scene. Even more unusually, the animals are
suspended from the manger with fishing wire (just as in
Jerusalem lo those many years ago).
I was surprised to find this ornament from my father's
tree in a bag of Christmas stuff that predates our children. It
has a lovely Victorian feel about it and, as it features Santa,
Tiger was delighted to include it on the tree.
Tiger thought it was hilarious that the
star could not stand vertically on the
tree (though everything is funnier on
her father's shoulders). Please note
that Tiger had at least one costume
change during the decorating of the
tree.
Here is the finished tree, I love how
unimpressed Tiger looks in this photo.
We left the lights on for three full days
before she decided that she might sleep
better if we turned it off at night.
This rather random inclusion is a photo of Tigerlily with the
wreath from my mother's front door on her head (as you do),
I think she looks like a Saturnalia maiden...
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